Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister—that is you, Mr Frydenberg. Mr Prime Minister, it is reported that 151 public schools in the Northern Territory will have their funding cut because of claims by your government that they are overfunded. Prime Minister, is that correct? And will the Prime Minister release the full list of schools, including public schools, that the government claims are overfunded instead of selectively briefing out the names of just a few?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can confirm to the House that, under the Turnbull government's package of additional school funding for the Northern Territory, the independent school sector will be 5.1 per cent better off over 10 years; the Catholic school sector 5.6 per cent better off; and the government school sector 1.3 per cent better off. In the seat of Lingiari, there are 137 schools that will miss out on an average of $3.2 million each if the Labor Party have their way, so the member for Lingiari should be ashamed of himself. He should be ashamed of himself for coming into this place and pretending that he is arguing for more funding when, as a result of his actions and his party's actions, he is denying 137 schools, on average, $3.2 million in additional funding.

The Labor Party had 27 secret deals—27 secret and special deals. They have never funded their promises. They have only delivered budget deficits. We on this side of the House have created a transparent and fair education-funding system. It has been endorsed by everyone from the Grattan Institute to the Mitchell Institute to many in the sector, from the schools' association, the parents' association, the primary schools' association and the like.

I do want to point out to the Leader of the Opposition that his behaviour on this matter, leading the charge against the Turnbull government's extra $18.6 billion of funding, means that in his own electorate 54 schools—

Ms Chesters interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bendigo will leave under 94(a).

The member for Bendigo then left the chamber.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fifty-four schools in the seat of Maribyrnong will miss out on an average of $7.2 million each.